Saint Judy

source: Saint Judy

Saint Judy might have been one of my favorite movies I've watched this year. It was done extremely well when it comes to the edits/visuals, the acting, and especially the actual plot of the film. The plot is based on the true story of immigration attorney Judy Wood and her battle against the US court system on the subject of political asylum. Judy Wood is played by Mission Impossible star Michelle Monaghan and she does an outstanding job taking the role and pushing it to another level.

Saint Judy brings to light many issues that many continue to fight for today regarding immigration and women's rights, both in the US and internationally. The film tells the story of one of Judith Wood's first cases as an immigration attorney, though little did she know it would become a landmark case not only for her career but in regards to how immigration cases are handled from then on. Her case fought for a woman named Asefa from Afghanistan, who came to America in order to escape persecution from the Taliban after she started a school for girls. The film not only reminds us of how lucky we are in our country, but it gives the sadder, more real side of the immigration laws that prevent many immigrants from staying in the United States all due to lack of finance, preparation, or simple ability to gain a visa, when they come seeking refuge for just being themselves in a country they don't feel welcome in. I sympathize with Asefa and her story and applaud both Asefa and Judith for continuing to fight for what they believe was right. The cast provides incredible performances that made me fall in love with the characters and story and really brought this underdog story to life.

Inspirational is an understatement when describing Saint Judy. The true story behind the film of real-time immigration lawyer, Judith Wood, is enough to impress the most skeptical critics. Fighting for every last one of her 276 clients as if her life depended on it is not only admirable and respectable, but also an immensely difficult and thoroughly excruciating process, for Ms. Wood, but also for the audience to watch. Watching the movie I had two feelings: awe for this real-life hero, and frustration at the U.S immigration system and laws. This movie had me rooting for Judy with everything I had, while simultaneously making me want to clear all of her obstacles for her so that she can pave the way for justice. As mentioned earlier, inspirational is a word that does not do this movie justice. This movie moves people and stirred up something deep inside me, an instinctual feeling of hatred for injustices and a yearning for justice. Saint Judy will do the same for anyone who watches it. They too will be stirred.

I'm still trying to get over how moved I was by "Saint Judy!" The drama follows Judy Wood, an attorney played by Michelle Monaghan, who takes on the landmark case of Afghani immigrant Asefa (movingly played by Leem Lubany) as she fights to legally stay in the United States in asylum. The film follows how the strong-willed Judy Wood fights for what she believes in, fully inspiring me as I watched the events unfold on the screen. With so many big names in the movie, such as Michelle Monaghan, Alfre Woodard, and Alfred Molina, it's no wonder the performances were as powerful as they are; however, Leem Lubany's acting is what truly struck me. The actress's role in the movie required such a reserved, yet bold, representation and Lubany delivered, especially as she presented her story in the court room causing not even a breath to be heard in the room where I was watching the film. I highly recommend you allow this film to take you on an emotional roller coaster.

Incredibly eye-opening and informative, Saint Judy broadened my perspective on the modern immigrant's struggles upon arriving to the United States. The true narrative follows Judy Wood (Michelle Monaghan) and her ambitious attempts to help the case of Afghan woman Asefa, in which she applies for asylum after being imprisoned by the Taliban for empowering young girls with knowledge. Judy's unyielding effort to save Asefa then leads into a battle against the United States law of asylum for women. Although I am already familiarized with life for Hispanic immigrants, as my parents initially held that status, this film educated me on the brutal centers in which most immigrants are held, and on the law of asylum for especially Afghan women. Immigration being such a relevant topic today, I gained a new outlook on the modern immigrant and their struggles to reach equality and freedom within this country. I highly recommend you watch Saint Judy, as it encapsulated my attention while also giving me an inside viewpoint to the hardships immigrants, especially female, must endure.

Saint Judy is a compelling tale of bravery and determination in the face of sheer adversity. Challenging American laws on asylum backed by years and years of precedent, Judith Wood's relentless passion for justice is highlighted in this film as you follow her arduous journey through the American judicial system. Michelle Monaghan's portrayal of Wood conveys a sense of compassion rarely seen on the big screen, exemplifying how Wood's unwavering commitment to her clients and the greater good allowed her to change the legal landscape forever. Director Sean Hanish carefully crafted this biographical drama to not only focus on the story of Judith Wood, but also on the often-neglected realities of the immigrant experience. In a volatile political climate where women and immigrants are still fighting for equal rights and recognition, Saint Judy highlights an important step towards justice and equality for everyone.

I always enjoy films with strong female leads, so Michelle Monaghan's incredible performance as Judith Woods ensured that I'd love this movie. SAINT JUDY is an inspiring story about a single mother and female lawyer in the early 2000's fighting to change the law regarding immigrants who seek asylum within the U.S. Throughout the movie, Monahan conveys Judy's resilient personality, illustrating both her personal struggle to be caring, single mom and her professional fight to be a successful female attorney. The fact that this is based on a true story made it all the more empowering. Overall, topics such as immigration and women's rights are major players, but the whole cast, including Monaghan, did an incredible job of depicting these rights in ways different than what one would typically expect from today's media. For those who appreciate strong females in a film will love SAINT JUDY.

It seems that 2 large groups of people have rated this well done movie a 10 star and another large group of people have given it a 1 star rating. in my opinion both groups are incorrect. saint judy is a well acted drama about the complications and blind spots in the process of obtaining legal asylum in the usa. i believe people with opposing political views are trying to weaponize the IMBD rating system and may ruin the chance of the movie being seen by people who use those ratings to decide if they want to spend 2hrs. of their lives watching a particular film. i am a fan of ms. monaghan's and have had good luck choosing movies with her in them but the rating was so low that i began to read the user reviews and that lead to a graph with the number of people giving the 10 star rating all way down to 1 star. hmmm very curious voting pattern...? so i decided to watch the movie and i am glad i did. it was shockingly informative and it made me feel for and understand some of the situations of people caught up in the immigration system. it's not a cut and dried issue, in my mind, that everyone is trying to game the system to enter the country. i thank the film makers for giving me an opportunity to see a side of the system that we as citizens do not seem to be getting from news and other media these days.

"Saint Judy" is an amazing independent movie that everyone should see. Judy Wood is a modern hero, an immigration lawyer whose life is dedicated to the others. Her crusade and her determination to represent and save the life of that afghan persecuted woman has moved me more than I can explain... The actors did a great job at telling that incredible true story, Michelle Monaghan is a great choice, she is a very credible Judy Wood ..I was blessed to participate at one of "Saint Judy" Q&A and met Judy, Dimitri who wrote the script and brilliant Director, Producer Sean Hanish who gave a life to that inspirational true story. Truly genuine, empathetic, talented human beings. I highly recommend this movie, It gave me hope for more humanity in this world... go and see it!!!